Baby changing pad

Abstract

In another embodiment the invention provides a changing pad including a first panel including a first surface. The first panel defines a perimeter and includes a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge. The changing pad further includes a first side panel coupled to the first panel at the first edge and a second side panel coupled to the first panel at the second edge. The changing pad includes a first configuration in which the first side panel and the second side panel are folded over the first panel and a second configuration in which the first side panel is folded to form a first barrier positioned adjacent to the first panel and the second side panel is folded to form a second barrier positioned adjacent to the first panel opposite the first barrier.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A changing pad comprising:
 a first panel including a first surface, the first panel defining a perimeter and including a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge;   a first side panel coupled to the first panel at the first edge;   a second side panel coupled to the first panel at the second edge;   a first configuration in which the first side panel and the second side panel are folded over the first panel; and   a second configuration in which the first side panel is folded to form a first barrier positioned adjacent to the first panel and the second side panel is folded to form a second barrier positioned adjacent to the first panel opposite the first barrier.   
     
     
         2 . The changing pad of  claim 1  wherein, each of the first side panel and the second side panel includes a first sub-panel, a second sub-panel coupled to the first sub-panel, and a third sub-panel coupled to the second sub-panel, the first sub-panel of the first side panel coupled to the first edge and the first sub-panel of the second side panel coupled to the second edge. 
     
     
         3 . The changing pad of  claim 2  wherein when in the second configuration, the third sub-panel is positioned between the first sub-panel and the second sub-panel. 
     
     
         4 . The changing pad of  claim 2  wherein when in the second configuration, the third sub-panel is secured to the first panel. 
     
     
         5 . The changing pad of  claim 1  further comprising a fastening strap configured to secure the pad in the first configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The changing page of  claim 5  further comprising a third side panel coupled to a third edge of the perimeter and including a fastener, the third side panel configured to overlie one of the first side panel and the second side panel when the pad is in the first configuration and further configured to be an extension of the first surface in the second configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The changing pad of  claim 6  wherein the fastener mates with the fastening strap to secure the fastening strap when the pad is in the second configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The changing pad of  claim 1  further comprising a pocket coupled to a fourth edge of the perimeter, the pocket configured to be secured relative to the first panel, first side panel, and second side panel when the pad is in the second configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The changing pad of  claim 1  further comprising a handle. 
     
     
         10 . A changing pad comprising:
 a first panel;   a first side panel coupled to a first side of the first panel, the first side panel being foldable such that at least a portion of the first side panel is elevated relative to the first panel;   a second side panel coupled to a second side of the first panel, the second side panel being foldable such that at least a portion of the second side panel is elevated relative to the first panel;   a third side panel coupled to a third side of the first panel; and   a fastening strap coupled to the first panel;   wherein the first side panel, the second side panel, and the third side panel are foldable relative to one another and the first panel such that the fastening strap secures the first side panel, the second side panel, and the third side panel to the first panel during transport of the changing pad.   
     
     
         11 . The changing pad of  claim 10  wherein each of the first side panel and the second side panel includes a first sub-panel, a second sub-panel coupled to the first sub-panel, and a third sub-panel coupled to the second sub-panel, the first sub-panel of the first side panel coupled to the first side and the first sub-panel of the second side panel coupled to the second side. 
     
     
         12 . The changing pad of  claim 11  wherein to elevate the first side panel and the second side panel each of the third sub-panels is positioned between the respective first sub-panel and the second sub-panel. 
     
     
         13 . The changing pad of  claim 12  wherein each of the third sub-panels is secured to the first panel. 
     
     
         14 . The changing pad of  claim 10  further comprising a fastener configured to mate with the fastening strap. 
     
     
         15 . The changing pad of  claim 10  further comprising a pocket coupled to a fourth side of the first panel, the pocket configured to be secured relative to the first panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, and the third side panel by the fastening strap. 
     
     
         16 . The changing pad of  claim 10  further comprising a handle. 
     
     
         17 . The changing pad of  claim 10  wherein at least the first panel is sanitizeable. 
     
     
         18 . A method for using a changing pad, the changing pad including a first panel including a first surface and defining a perimeter, the first panel including a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, a first side panel coupled to the first panel at the first edge, and a second side panel coupled to the first panel at the second edge, the method comprising:
 unfolding the first side panel and the second side panel from a first configuration in which the first side panel and the second side panel overlie and are secured relative to the first panel to a second configuration in which the first side panel and the second side panel extend from the perimeter of the first panel;   elevating at least a portion of the first side panel relative to the first panel; and   elevating at least a portion of the second side panel relative to the first panel.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising:
 flattening the elevated portion of the first side panel; 
 flattening the elevated portion of the second side panel; and 
 folding the first side panel and the second side panel from the second configuration to the first configuration. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising securing the portions of the first and second side in the elevated position.